Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is grappling with the potential loss of key players to suspension and the Africa Cup of Nations, while the club reportedly eyes a replacement for Casemiro. Midfielder Casemiro and defender Patrick Dorgu are both one yellow card away from a one-match ban, having accumulated four bookings each. The pair must tread carefully in Sunday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace to avoid missing future fixtures.
Meanwhile, United could also lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui to AFCON duty in the near future. The club sits 10th in the league and faces a congested winter schedule, making squad depth a pressing concern.
Casemiro's long-term future at Old Trafford is in doubt, with his contract expiring next summer. Reports suggest United are leading the race to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher as a replacement. The 25-year-old former Chelsea and Crystal Palace man has struggled for game time in Spain, starting only five matches this season, and has expressed dissatisfaction with his role. Atletico are expected to demand around £50m for his sale.
Gallagher would also bolster United's homegrown player quota and could form a partnership with former Chelsea colleague Mason Mount. However, any deal is likely to be complex, with United needing to offload Casemiro's wages to facilitate the move.
